"We're not done here."
His fingers dig into her bicep. Hard enough that she gasps. Hard enough that I can see the pressure points from where I'm standing.
Assault. Clear as day. In front of witnesses.
"Let go of me." Her voice is too high. Panicked.
"Not until you listen."
I'm ten feet away. Moving fast but silent. Years of patrol work taught me how to close distance without being noticed.
"I said let go."
His grip tightens. She tries to pull away. Can't. He's holding her too tight.
Mrs. Johnson's soup can hits the floor with a clatter.
"You're hysterical." Callum's voice is calm. Reasonable. The voice of a man who knows how to perform for an audience. "You need to calm down and think about what you're throwing away. I'm offering you a future, Jessica. Everything you ever wanted."
"You don't know what I want." She's still trying to pull free. "You never did."
"I know you're scared." He leans closer. Too close. Invading her space in a way that makes my vision blur red. "Confused. Those men have filled your head with ideas. But you can't do better than me, baby. We both know you can't."
That's when I see it happen.
The moment she stops being scared and starts being furious.
Her knee comes up hard and fast. Connects with his groin with a satisfying thunk.
Callum releases her with a howl. Doubles over. His hands clutch his crotch. The sound he makes echoes through the store.
Somewhere behind me, someone starts to clap.
"Touch me again," Jessica tells him, voice steady now, "and I'll aim higher."
She grabs her cart and walks toward the checkout.
Callum straightens. Still bent but functional. And the look on his face is pure rage.
"You bitch." The charm is completely gone. This is the real him. The one he keeps hidden under expensive clothes and practiced smiles. "You think those Negrorio bastards will want you when they find out what you really are? A desperate little omega whore who'll spread her legs for—"
I don't let him finish.
Three strides. That's all it takes.
My forearm goes across his throat. I drive him backward until his spine hits the refrigerated meat case. The glass rattles. Steaks shift behind him.
His eyes go wide. Shocked. Like he can't believe this is happening.
"Hi, baby." I keep my voice calm. Eerily calm. The kind of calm that comes before violence. I don't look at Jessica yet. Can't. If I see fear or tears or hurt in her eyes, I'll lose control. "You okay?"
"Where did you come from?" Her voice is shaky but trying for normal.
"Was picking up steaks for dinner." I press a little harder against Callum's throat. Just enough to make breathing difficult. "Heard the commotion."
"I had it handled."
"I know you did." Pride bleeds through despite my effort to stay professional. "That was a nice knee. Very effective."
